About Us

The Madrona Institute…

…is an independent 501(c)3 non-governmental organization based in the San Juan Islands of Washington.

At Madrona, we envision a community and a world in which human beings co-exist peacefully with each other and responsibly with nature.

Our mission is to encourage community dialogue and leadership on climate issues, and to engage current and future generations in the conservation and stewardship of our local ecosystem. This mission is accomplished through youth conservation corps in the San Juan Islands, and through lectures and initiatives on climate change.

Our vision is a positive, healthy, resilient San Juan Islands.

The Board of Directors of the Madrona Institute is responsible for the overall governance of the organization, providing special expertise in resource development that advances the organization’s work. Board members include Gretchen Allison, Director; Kathleen Foley, Secretary; Elaine M. Kendall, Treasurer; Linda Lyshall, Vice Chair/Vice President; Nikyta Palmisani, Director; Sarah Severn, Director; and Ronald Zee, Chair/President.

Sam Barr, a tribal member of the Samish Indian Nation, serves as Co-Manager of the Coast Salish Youth Stewardship Corps. Sam was the Tribal Canoe Skipper for the Samish Indian Nation Canoe Family, and has been a GIS Analyst/Natural Resources Technician for the Samish Indian Nation Department of Natural Resources. Sam has a BA in Environmental Science and Resource Management from the University of Washington, and is also employed by the Stillaguamish Indian Tribe.

Erin Licata, a tribal community member of the Samish Indian Nation, serves as Co-Manager of the Coast Salish Youth Stewardship Corps. Erin was an Ecosystem Research Specialist with the Samish Indian Nation, and has been a Biological Science Technician for the US Forest Service. Erin has a BA in Environmental Science from Huxley College at Western Washington University, and is also employed at the San Juan Islands Conservation District.

Both Sam and Erin are participants in the annual Tribal Canoe Journey.

The Madrona Institute is a proud member of the Stewardship Network of the San Juans.

Partnerships

The Madrona Institute has a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service and San Juan Island National Historical Park that provides for joint educational programs, seminars, workshops, and other programs of mutual interest. San Juan Island National Historical Park commemorates the peaceful resolution of an international dispute between Great Britain and the United States in 1859. The Madrona Institute is pleased to be a partner with our local national park that provides such outstanding educational and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

Other partners include the San Juan Islands National Monument, Bureau of Land Management, San Juan County Land Bank, San Juan County Parks & Recreation, San Juan Preservation Trust, and Washington State Parks.

The Madrona Institute wishes to acknowledge the financial support of the following organizations: Bureau of Land Management, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Park Service, Orcas Island Community Foundation, San Juan Island Community Foundation, San Juan Masonic Lodge No. 175, San Juan Preservation Trust, and United Way of San Juan County. Our program activities would not be possible without their assistance. We are most grateful as well for the financial support of individuals throughout the San Juan Islands.